Sydney Off-the-Beaten-Path | Oysters and Sea Lions Healed Me in Narooma

Driving south from Sydney, a five-hour journey, the scenery outside the window slowly transformed from city to pasture, and then from pasture to coastline. By the time the Narooma sign appeared, I had reached my destination.

 

This quaint seaside town exudes an indescribable sense of comfort. The grass on the hillsides is as green as a velvet carpet, and the waves gently lap against the rocks, creating a lingering echo. Walking along the road, the air carries the salty scent of the sea, mixed with the fragrance of sun-baked grass.

First, let's talk about the "locals" here - the sea lions.
A stroll along the breakwater is a must when in Narooma. I was lucky; shortly after starting my walk, I spotted several Australian fur seals lounging on the rocks. They were sprawled out lazily, some sunbathing on their bellies, others rolling over to continue sleeping, their varied sleeping positions radiating ultimate relaxation. I watched them for a long time, feeling their overflowing joy contagiously spread to me.

 

If you have enough time, be sure to book a snorkeling tour to Montague Island. Swimming with these curious creatures in the water, they'll dart around you, their round eyes fixed on you. That experience is far more thrilling than watching them from across the breakwater.

Now, let's talk about food – oyster freedom is not a dream. Narooma is famous for its Sydney Rock Oysters, a variety known for its small size, firm texture, and sweet, refreshing taste. The town even hosts an annual oyster festival, which I unfortunately missed. But that didn't stop me from achieving "oyster freedom."

 

I went to The Oyster Farmer’s Daughter, a small shop located next to an oyster farm. I ordered a dozen freshly shucked rock oysters, squeezed some lemon juice on them, and took a bite. The salty freshness of the sea and the sweet taste of the oyster meat melted in my mouth—it was incredible. If you're looking for other seafood, Quarterdeck is also a great choice. You can sit by the window with a sea view, eat slowly, drink slowly, and just let time slow down.

 

 

Several unmissable photo spots
Australia Rock is a place that will make you exclaim "wow!" at first sight. The naturally formed rock has a hole that bears a striking resemblance to the map of Australia, and the sea view framed by this "window" looks beautiful no matter how you photograph it.

 

Bar Rock Lookout offers a spectacular view of the harbor entrance. Standing on the observation deck, varying shades of blue unfold before your eyes, with foamy white waves in the foreground and deep blue waters in the distance, layered in between, creating a truly therapeutic scene.

 

The Mill Bay Boardwalk is a 350-meter-long wooden walkway that stretches along the coast. As I walked, I looked down and saw two rays swimming in the water, leisurely flapping their "wings." This unexpected encounter made me feel truly blessed.

Some small suggestions
Narooma is about a five-hour drive south of Sydney and approximately three hours from Canberra. If you're coming from Sydney, you can string together attractions like Kiama's Blowhole and Jervis Bay's white sands for a two- or three-day road trip along the South Coast of NSW, making for a very enjoyable journey.

I stayed in Narooma for two days. Before leaving, I went back to the breakwater to see the sea lions one last time. They were still their lazy selves, lounging on the rocks, basking in the sun, seemingly carefree. Watching them, I suddenly felt that life doesn't have to be so complicated.

 

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